St John the Baptist Parish Newsletter
Parish Office: Sacred Heart Church, Silver Link Rd,
Tamworth, B77 2EA
Parish Office: 01827 769403
Parish Centre Bookings: 01827 288226
Priests: Fr Michael – [email protected]
Fr Noel – [email protected]
Bookings: Rev Deacon Brian Cox and Mrs Nora Cox – [email protected] Tel. 288226
Admin: Wendy Quinn – [email protected]
Gift Aid, HOT, database (Tues & Wed): Rob Breeden – [email protected]
www.stjohnrctamworth.org.uk
St John’s Church in on St John St, Tamworth, B79 7EX
Easter Sunday (B) – 5th April 2015
Psalm Response: This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad
8.00 pm (S.H.)
Easter Vigil
9.00 am (S.H.)
Mikie Crotty – Leon Spicer
10.30 am (S.J.)
Bro. Martin Morris – Kath Wakelin
12.00 noon (S.H.) Eric Richards – Lizzie Jordon
Monday 6th April
Easter Monday 11.00 am (S.J.)
Hughie McKenny (please note time change)
th
Tuesday 7 April
Easter Tuesday 10.00 am (S.J.)
Miriam Sturm (please note time change)
Wednesday 8th April
Easter Wednesday 10.00 am (S.J.)
Anne Crowley
10am – 3pm (S.H.) Day of Prayer for Vocations
7.00 pm (S.H.)
UCM Mass (everyone welcome)
Thursday 9th April
Easter Thursday 10.00am (S.J.)
Mary Wilson
th
Friday 10 April
Easter Friday 12.30pm (S.J.)
Mass for the sick and housebound of the parish
7.00pm (S.H.)
Communion Service
th
Saturday 11 April
Easter Saturday 10.30am (S.J.)
Bert Wheeler
Second Sunday of Easter 6.00pm (S.J.)
Pat Lane – Nora Bolt
th
Sunday 12 April
9.00 am (S.H.)
Joe Eddy – John Coll
10.30 am (S.J.)
Holy Souls – David Burford
Second Sunday of
12.00 noon (S.H.) Frances and Ken Dingley
Easter
Confessions at St John’s: Sat 11.00 till 11.30 am and 5.15 – 5.45 pm.
th
Saturday 4 April
Sunday 5th April
Holy Saturday
Happy Easter
Alleluia! He is risen! This is the most joyous feast of the year. Christ’s
death and resurrection is the foundation of the Christian Faith.
The church is now filled with the spirit of Jesus and with His Light. It is no
longer silent as we join our songs of praise with the choirs in heaven. We
are reminded of Christ’s promise “I will give you a joy which no one will
take from you.” (John 16:22). Easter is the beginning of our new life with
Christ. Although our Lenten Journey is complete don’t forget to create
times of prayer in your daily lives where you can spend time with our
Risen Lord.
As we reflect on today’s readings, especially the Gospel, let us ask the
Risen Christ for courage and strength we need to take His Light into the
world.
The Second Collection at all Masses this Easter will be for your priests.
Registered Charity 234216
Na każdej niedzielnej mszy dostępne są polskie tłumaczenia czytań i Ewangelii. Można je znaleźć w prz
edsionku kościoła. Miłej i owocnej lektury!
Please pray for the sick: Mick Evans, Chad Williams, Steve Brindley, Finn Lynch,
Teresa Woodcock, Gill Horsley, Margaret Thompson, Mary Pullen, Patrick O’Hara,
Maggie Gordan, Noreen Doherty, Christine Lavery, Michelle Mason, Julie Orme,
Nikolas Atkins, Sheila Brown, Stephen Morley, Jaden Walker, Frank Ryan, Elsie
Newbold, Gillian & John Solanky, Edna Mundin, John Barrass, June Beggan, Michael
Fox, Betty Meehan, Mary Miller, Sarah Gillen, Conan Teyssou, Winnie Claridge, AnnMarie Purslow, Eileen Murphy, Philip Nolan, Margaret Fenn, Ann Bernes, Teresa Weir,
Morag Deighton, Joan Trevis, Nellie Mattison, Tony Soden, Betty Meehan, Ethel
Haughton, Stan Merryweather, Eileen McDaid, David Herbert, Denise Payne, Phil
Crook, Maxine Beech, Ray Barber, John Toft
Please pray for those whose anniversaries occur around this time: Harold Levesley, Ernest
Bonham, William Jackson, Annie Doggerell, Catherine Collins, Michael Davey, Harry Glevey, Arthur
Wood, Walter Davis, George Radford, Eli Roots, Nora Clover, James O'Rourke, John Fowley, Rose
Robinson, Julia Worgan, Eileen McGovern, Emma Riley. Ken Guilder, Eleanor Luton, Elizabeth Lynch,
George Cash, Horace Spooner, Margaret McLean, Ferdynand Dent, Olive Catherine O’Conner, Alexander
Connelly, George Waterhouse, Patrick Healey, David Willis, Irene Moore, Margaret Dowd, Eileen
Connolly, Carol Hill, Barbara Coggins, Christina McGregor.
Reflection: During this Easter season, as we meditate on the Resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead, let us celebrate with great jubilation, for “this
is the Day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Nourished by the
Holy Eucharist, let us look forward with faith, to the Resurrection of our own
bodies from the dead on the last day. Jesus told us that he who believes in
Him and eats His Body and drinks His Blood will have eternal life, and that
He will raise him up on the last day.
Welcome into the Church the new parishioners who have been Baptised,
Confirmed and/or made their first Holy Communion this Easter. Having
completed their Journey in Faith, they now begin life as fledgling Catholics.
Please keep Jane Glynn, Wendy Shanley, Katie Wright, Kory Wright, John
Hackett, Troy Minton, Geoff Franklin, Lisa Sterling, Lisa Rose Summers,
Jayne Callaghan, Julia Slater, Mackenzie Slater, Julie Cunningham, Lisa Thomas, Maria Flemming and
Poppy Flemming in your prayer.
Easter Thank-you to everyone who have worked so hard in preparing for
Easter: musicians, Eucharistic Ministers, especially those visiting the sick and
housebound, readers, people cleaning our Churches, flower ladies, gardeners,
wardens, welcomers, singers, sacristans, caterers, servers, powerpoint
presenters and others. It is only with your help and commitment that we can
celebrate our Easter Liturgies with meaning, reflection and joy.
Easter Egg Hunt – after all Masses on Easter Sunday morning. Eggs will be
hidden around the grounds of both churches. If you find two, keep one for
yourself and give one away to someone who has none.
Union of Catholic Mothers – the next meeting will be the AGM on Wednesday 8th April starting with
Mass at 7-30pm at Sacred Heart. All members are urged to attend. Members of the parish are also
invited to the Mass.
Dear friends, colleagues, Father Michael and parents, we wanted to
write a few words to thank sincerely all of you that have sent best wishes to
us over the last few weeks. Each gesture of kindness, whether it has been
kind words, messages, your own time to help make arrangements for the
funeral, cards, gifts or donations to Sands via Noah’s Page, have meant so
much to us. It has been the most unbearable time since our baby Noah
Matthew sadly passed away but each one of your sentiments has helped us
tremendously. We have been extremely touched by all of your generosity
and it has helped the whole family to believe Noah will never be
forgotten. You are all amazing people. Endless thanks and God Bless. Nikki,
Matt, Darcie, Rose, Oliver, Caleb and Noah Batchelor
Jack Downes and Robert Bradburn would like to thank the parishioners that attended the 9am Mass
last week for their purchase of raffle tickets and also their generous donations. The boys made £70.30
for Father Hudson's.
The prize winners are 1st Mrs Bolger, 2nd Mrs Bonsor and 3rd to Denise
Student news - From September 2015 a student from Oscott Collage will be living in the parish for six
month, which will give him a taste of working in a busy parish.
General Election 2015 - We all have a responsibility to be involved
in the democratic process. The Bishops of England and Wales have
put together a leaflet for us to read through before we vote in the
General Election on Thursday, 7th May 2015. Please take one and ask
the question ‘how in the light of the Gospel, can my vote best serve
the common good?’ Copies of the leaflet are at the back of church.
Also look out for the election ‘hustings’ coming up in St Editha’s in
April.
Situations vacant – Due to the bulletins being so full of news and events any situations vacancies will
be put on the notice boards at the back of both churches.
Starfish: Our Starfish ‘breakfast club’ takes place at Sacred Heart from 10am till 12.00 am. We have
a desperate shortage on volunteers now. This is so worthwhile – can you spare some time on Saturday
mornings to help some of our poorest neighbours? If so, please contact Rob
Stay and Play – ‘Stay and Play’ session are held in the upstairs room of Sacred
Heart 1pm – 3pm, Children up to 1 are free then £2 for first child, £1.50 for second
and £1 for third child. This is for babies up to school age children and parents to
enjoy time together with play and interaction; refreshment will be served.
Multiple Sclerosis (M S) Society and Tai Chi – Meet on a Tues at 11.30am in
the Modwen room. The Tai Chi class is open to anyone. The MS Society meets for
their meeting after the class at 12.30pm
Senior Citizens at Sacred Heart – Meet every Tuesday for social gatherings at
1.30am.
Irish Dancing Classes now run from the parish centre every Saturday. It is open to people of all ages.
If you are interested then contact Katie Martin on [email protected] or tel. 07932 359413
The Bridge Club are also keen to recruit new members – come and play the King of card games on
Monday evenings at 7.00 pm.
Pilates Classes – A set of exercise performed in standing, seated and lying
positions. Pilates exercise can be beneficial for everyone whatever their
fitness. Thurs 7pm – 8pm. £5 per session.
A.A. meeting at St John’s upper room on Mondays at 8.00 pm for people
recovering from alcohol related problems.
Proteens our group for teenagers will meet after the Easter break.
YOSH will restart on Thursday April 16. (For further info., contact
[email protected])
2nd Coton Green Rainbow and Brownie Guide Units meet at St
Elizabeth’s School on Wednesday evenings. Contact details are: Rainbows,
Steffi 07815087565. Brownies, Sharron 07500426682.
Brownies also meet at Sacred Heart on a Wednesday night. Contact
details are Tracey 07743306495
The Light of One Candle
As we gathered in darkened churches to celebrate the Easter
Vigil, we were reminded of the power of one candle. The Paschal
candle lit from the Easter fire had the ability to illumine the entire
church and banish the darkness. From that one candle the flame
is shared and diffused throughout the worshipers until hundreds of
reflections of that light bathe the entire church in a warm glow. All
of which is a powerful symbol of the power of the resurrected
Christ to cast out the darkness of our lives.
Part of the human experience to this day is times of darkness
when we lose our way. A catastrophe can knock us off our
feet. We can make impulsive decisions that endanger our longterm well-being. We can engage in destructive behavior because
of the inclination to jealousy or feelings of ill-will toward
others. Where do we find the guidance to help us get back on
track?
For many people struggling with darkness in their lives, Catholic
Charities, and some of the groups that meet in our community,
Starfish, Homestart, the AA, Justice and Peace, Multiple Sclerosis,
the Boxing Club are the light that shines in their darkness. Like
the power of one candle they shine in the darkness of another’s life
and create hope and a path out of the darkness. And, taken
together, all of those candles have the power to bathe our
communities in the warm glow of compassion that leads to
opportunity for every human being. A helping hand, a kind word, a necessary resource shared can be
the spark that provides light where before there was none.
This Easter celebration of new life, of light overcoming darkness gives us the hope and faith that will
show us the way throughout this coming year. This journey is one that we walk together. Let us reflect
the light of the Easter candle to all those we meet, but especially to those who are looking for a way out
of darkness.
Money Matters
Envelopes
246.92
Standing Order
660.00
Loose
453.90
Total:
£1360.82
Building Fund
269.18
The Parish AGM this year will be at Sacred Heart on Sunday April 19th
at 1.00. We will provide soup and a sandwich. Please note that 3
members have served their time as members of the parish council.
Unfortunately, after many years of great service they need to step
down (in line with our constitution). Are there any people willing to
join us – maybe someone who has not been on the parish council
before? Also a good opportunity for younger people to shape the
future of our parish? If so, please collect a form from the office.
There will be a Day of Prayer for Vocations in the parish this
Wednesday from morning Mass till 3 pm. Due to the short notice it will
be at Sacred Heart since this will be more secure with parish workers
on site. We hope you will be able to come for some of that day or, at
least, pray at home
for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
A Headteacher for St Elizabeth’s was appointed
after a long deliberations with good candidates. We
thank God for that but, until all procedures have been
fulfilled, we cannot announce the successful
candidate. We should be able to do so next week.
Thank-you for your prayers.